Is tenor saxophone impossible for a short person?

Question

I'm getting a tenor saxophone on Saturday. I decided on the tenor because I'm coming from Baritone/French Horn and the person who will be teaching me suggested that might be the easiest to learn on, I also like how it sounds better than the alto. My only concern is that I'm 5' tall and I don't know if I can handle the size. What do you think? Should I just try out alto instead?

Answer 1

size usually doesn't matter when you play an instrument. if you've played a marching baritone/euphonium (bell-front horn), the tenor should be a bit heavier. you also have the neckstrap to help you out. however there's a plus to playing saxophones. even though there are about 6 or more types of saxes, all the fingerings are the same. memorize the fingerings and you're set to play all of them from the soprillo to the tubax. the only things different would be the key signature, the concert-pitch of the horn, instrument size, and reed sizes. it's also easier for brass players to transition to woodwind instruments.

Answer 2

Haha!  Nope... I would try it first!  Most likely, the size will be fine... you just want to watch your finger spread.  Your ARMS will be able to reach, no problem, but sometimes the spread of the fingers can slow you down.  At least try the thing before you decide to just settle for alto...

I am just a little over 5 foot... up until I got pregnant and had my daughter a few years ago, I only weighed around 100 lbs... and I play bari sax!  For crying out loud, I MARCHED bari sax in high school (again, little over 5 feet, 100 lbs.).

You like the tone better, your embochure is most likely better suited for it, and your teacher says go for it... Just try it... you can always switch later if you don't dig it!  LOL

:)

EDIT: The fingerings for tenor are NOT different than for alto or bari... it is just transposed differently.  It doesn't effect how you play it!

Answer 3

tenor is definitely the most amazing of the saxes

your height shouldn't matter as long as you adjust the neckstrap to whatever is comfortable. I played tenor sax for about 5 years now and you'd be amazed at the size of people that can play them. Shoot I've seen people smaller than 5' play tuba before. If you have really short fingers, I would suggest going to alto, but if you have no problem stretching them for the keys there is no reason you can't handle it.

Answer 4

If you can handle holding the bell of your french horn off your leg while playing, you can handle the size of a tenor sax. In fact the tenor sax will seem to have the mellow sound that a french horn has. You will enjoy it. :)  Just adjust your neck strap and allow the mouthpiece of the sax to reach YOU, not you to IT. Then, it will be just fine.

Answer 5

No, if you put your mind to it and truly stick with your decision, you will do fine with it. I'm exceedingly short and I play alto, but one of my best friends plays the tenor, who is only a tiny bit taller, so you will be fine!  Whatever you choose will be a great choice, but the tenor will be easier to convert to from your expieriences....Good Luck!

Answer 6

Well I use to play alto,tenor,bari sax and also tuba. I started with alto then tenor then bari then tuba.  When playing at school the guy next to me was about 5 to 5'3 he seemed to do fine( I was about 6). The fingerings for tenor are diff than bari or alto. Also consider if you are planing on being in marching band(will be a bit heavier.